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All posts for the day April 3rd, 2009

This is “Best Of” week in Cincinnati when CityBeat puts out their annual issue of, obviously, what’s best about the city. It’s always a big event here.

With this event is always the “Best Of” party. I don’t normally go to these things as they are always packed, but I had a VIP pass and decided this year to shock the hell out of people and actually show up. Besides, my new friend Julie wanted to go and I thought it would be a good chance for her to meet some new people in her adopted city.

We met up late in the afternoon downtown on April 1, then took the #1 bus to Mt. Adams. The party was being held at Longworth’s and both of us thought we knew where it was. Turned out we didn’t.

After walking six blocks and more later than sooner, we found Saint Gregory Street and Longworth’s. The place was indeed packed.

There was plenty of free Heineken beer to go around which was great with Julie but I’m not a beer drinker. I stuck to my normal vodka and tonic.

It was fun to hang out with CityBeat’s General Manager Dan Bockrath for a while and seeing old Citybeater friends like Dan McCabe, Sean Hughes, Rick Pender, Patty Robisch and Jason Gargano was a kick – but by the time we got to the food line, there was no food. Even the iceberg lettuce was all gone.

On empty stomachs, Julie and I continued to drink. We ran into Editor/Co-Publisher John Fox and as we were talking, a familiar face walked by.

How in the world did Roger Ach make that VIP list for the party? I saw the list and I didn’t see his name on it – but there he was with his wife. I gave him an icy stare as he walked by heading to the food line.

But the food was all gone! Poor Roger! After discovering this, he and the little lady didn’t stay long. I attempted to talk to him, wanted to discuss those empty Pulse boxes downtown and wanted to know if he ever did get around to paying the money he owes his employees, but Roger was focused on leaving Longworth’s. He paid no attention to me.

Soon after Roger left, Julie and I decided to take off and head toward the bus stop. Thing is, we had no idea where it was. There we were – a little drunk and very hungry – walking the streets of Mt. Adams.

After being lost for several minutes, a young couple out walking gave us directions to the nearest bus stop.

When we got back downtown, starving, we went into Buddakhan on Vine Street and ordered some food. After a few more drinks, Julie went back to her apartment downtown and I got on another bus to take me home to Westwood.

So that’s my Wednesday adventure with Julie, the CityBeat people and, oh no, Roger Ach. I hope he and his wife found some free food somewhere.